"It's my decision to come off PUP, and it'll be my decision to play, and nobody else." -- Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul has made it clear that he’s the CEO of JPP. He has told everyone within earshot that he’ll make the decision on when he’s coming off the Physically Unable to Perform list and when he’ll play.

He made one-half of that decision on Monday.

The two-time Pro Bowl defensive end passed his physical and was taken off the PUP list, where he had been since the start of training camp following offseason back surgery.

"It’s my decision to come off PUP, and it’ll be my decision to play, and nobody else," he said.

"I’m not playing in any preseason games and I don’t even know about Dallas," he said. "I’m just trying to get better and test (the back) out, see how it is taking on double teams and all of that.

"It’s a big step (coming off the PUP list). I’ve been working hard for the past couple of months. The individual drills that I did (in rehab) were harder than the drills in practice. I feel more comfortable with myself going out and practicing with the team."

Pierre-Paul, entering his fourth season, did only individual drills on Monday. He moved freely and with no sign of discomfort. He clearly looked like a player who could conceivably be ready for the opener.

"Get him going," coach Tom Coughlin said. "Get him out there. Get him running around. He’s just going to do individuals for now but it won’t be long."

The Giants’ pass rush — or their defense, for that matter — isn’t the same without Pierre-Paul. He’s one of those game-changers who keep opposing coaches up at night.

After notching 16½ sacks in 2011 as the engine in the Giants’ unlikely Super Bowl run, he recorded just 6½ sacks last season. The team’s sack total fell from 48 to 33. It’s no coincidence the Giants became only the 14th Super Bowl winner to not make the playoffs the next season.

"He’s our best defensive player, hands down," safety Antrel Rolle said. "With him having the surgery and trying to get back to tip-top form, hopefully we’re going to see a performance that he has never ever shown us.

"We’re looking for miraculous things from him. He’s a guy who can definitely give it to us."

Pierre-Paul has proclaimed himself pain-free, save for a little soreness at times. That, he said, is expected and even welcomed. It comes with re-educating his muscles and building back up his stamina.

"It wasn’t a bad soreness," he said.

What lies ahead for Pierre-Paul is why he’s so intent on being 100 percent healthy. There are the double teams, the chip blocks and the occasional cheap shots he will have to deal with. Opponents will break the huddle looking for him. His body must be fine-tuned. His back, strong yet still delicate, is his power source.

Last season, Pierre-Paul felt the wrath of the opposing offensive linemen and couldn’t always meet the challenge because of the pain shooting through his back. Just getting in his three-point stance was agonizing at times.

It’s a place Pierre-Paul doesn’t want to revisit. Coming back too soon could be catastrophic.

"I’m not trying to rush," he said. "A back is a serious thing; a back surgery is a serious thing. You can’t try to come back too early or you’ll mess it up even more. I’m just trying to take it day-by-day."